Lens epithelial cells in postoperative aqueous humor.

The aqueous humor during or after cataract surgery often contains red blood cells (RBCs) from blood; inflammatory cells from white blood cells (WBCs); fibrin, pigment cells, and fibroblasts from either the iris or the ciliary body; lens epithelial cells (LECs); and corneal endothelial cells. Since LECs may be related to postoperative complications, including a fibrin reaction and a secondary cataract, confirmation of their presence postoperatively not only in the capsular bag, but also in the aqueous humor, is necessary for identifying these complications. Using aqueous humor obtained from pig eyes, I attempted to identify LECs immunohistochemically in the aqueous humor, following phacoemulsification (PEA) and aspiration of the cortex, and found the presence of cells that react to keratin antibody, the marker for epithelial cells. Although these cells could be lens, conjunctival, or corneal epithelial cells, they were found following PEA and aspiration of the cortex, and therefore are believed to be LECs.